Bengaluru, August 25, 2026: Bengaluru will witness a major grassroots chess celebration on August 26 as the Koramangala Indoor Stadium hosts the Road to GCL FIDE-rated Rapid Chess Tournament, bringing together up to 1,000 players ahead of Season 4 of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League.

The tournament will feature a ₹4 lakh prize pool and provide chess enthusiasts across age groups and skill levels an opportunity to compete in a professionally organised, FIDE-rated rapid format.

The initiative is aimed at taking the excitement surrounding the Global Chess League beyond the professional circuit and connecting the league with Bengaluru’s growing chess community.

Gourav Rakshit, Commissioner, Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, said the initiative was designed to bring the spirit of the league closer to players, fans and local communities. He added that bringing 1,000 participants together would help build momentum for Season 4 while celebrating Bengaluru’s depth of chess talent.

Participants will also have an opportunity to receive passes to GCL Season 4, allowing them to watch some of the world’s leading players compete live.

The fourth season of the Global Chess League will feature six franchises competing in a rapid, team-based format, with men and women playing together across six boards.

Among the star names set to feature are defending champion Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, Javokhir Sindarov and Nihal Sarin.

GCL Season 4 will be held at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, from September 5 to 13, marking the league’s return to India for a second consecutive season.

The Road to GCL tournament is expected to provide a strong grassroots build-up to nine days of elite chess action in Bengaluru.